With Labor Day fast approaching, the excitement for the Made in America music festival is growing! PhillyPolice.com wants to be your headquarters for traffic and public safety information around the concert festivities. We will be updating this post as information becomes available. As always, follow our official Twitter account, @PhillyPolice, for real-time updates.

Friday, August 31, 2012

Pictour: Your Interactive Guide to the Made in America Festival

The City of Philadelphia welcomes the “Budweiser Made in America” Festival to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway over Labor Day weekend. Shawn “Jay Z” Carter will curate and headline the blockbuster roster of talent, which includes nearly 30 artists embodying the diverse American musical spirit.

The Philadelphia Police Department and the Mayor’s Office have partnered with Philly in Focus, a multimedia platform dedicated to connecting the Philadelphia community through local video and interactive content, to produce a guided tour for festival goers through Pictour. APictour is a customized travel guide and walking tour that is showcased through Google maps. Available for Android and iPhone users, as well as tablet and iPad users, the MIA Pictours include photos, site maps and key landmarks to help fans navigate the two-day festival quickly and easily.

Available through the Live Nation Live From Philly channel on Philly In Focus, the Pictours for this weekend’s Festival highlight important locations, such as police informational beacons, SEPTA staging areas and, of course, restrooms to help guide you through the area. You will find key information along with the pictures, descriptions and addresses. Our Pictours will guide the way from most public transportation drop-off points to one of the three entrances and back. You will be able to find the Pictours and download the free app to your smartphone or tablet through http://www.phillyinfocus.com/channel/live-from-philly/. There will also be posters with QR codes along the Parkway that, when scanned from your smartphone, will send you directly to the Made In America Pictours.

We want this to be a safe, fun and memorable concert for everyone. Please stop by one of the police beacons, which will be located along the Parkway at 17th Street, 18th Street and 20th Street for more information. Have a great time at Made in America in the city in which America was made! Access to the venue is limited to ticket-holders only. Visit www.MadeinAmericaFest.com for more information, or purchase tickets through Ticketmaster.com and LiveNation.com.

ABOUT PHILLY IN FOCUS: Philly in Focus is the Philadelphia brand for Project Open Voice (POV), a recently launched pilot program from Comcast that is dedicated to connecting communities through the video and interactive media of local groups, institutions and programs. The multimedia platform brings organizations together across web, mobile, social media and cable television outlets. For more information, please visit www.phillyinfocus.com.

Thursday, August 30, 2012

BUDWEISER MADE IN AMERICA FESTIVAL ALREADY BENEFITTING CITY OF PHILADELPHIA ECONOMY

Philadelphia, August 30, 2012 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter said that the Budweiser Made in America Festival is already producing significant benefits for the City of Philadelphia noting that the Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association is reporting a considerable increase in rooms booked this Labor Day weekend.

Mayor Nutter also spotlighted recently released logistical information for patrons of the Festival, including Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant accommodations, a remote parking/shuttle service from The Mann Center for the Performing Arts, live streaming of the concerts on two websites, and specifics about the Festival venue.

“Even though we won’t have a full picture of the economic impact that Budweiser Made in America will have on the City of Philadelphia until sometime in September, it is encouraging and even exciting to see that the Festival is already doing positive things for the city,” said Mayor Nutter. “Labor Day weekend is normally a quiet holiday for the hospitality industry in the city. But the early reports we’re getting indicate substantially increased activity in our Center City hotels. We hope this will mean good news for the entire tourism and hospitality industry, including the many restaurants, shops, museums and bars that those visitors will patronize.”

Ed Grose, Executive Director of the Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association said, “Historically Labor Day weekend is slow for Philadelphia hotels, however this upcoming weekend my members are telling me that they are doing very well. While some hotels sold out, there are still rooms available. Visitors who are interested in booking a room should check their favorite hotel website and if there are no rooms available then go to www.visitphilly.com to book a room. While we don’t survey customers as to why they are here, the only different factor this year is the Budweiser Made in America Festival and it appears that this two-day event is a reason for the increased occupancy this weekend.”

City Representative Melanie Johnson talked about the long-term impact that the city hopes to attract. “We are hearing from our hotel partners that occupancy rates are much higher this upcoming holiday weekend than in years past. This welcome news confirms our confidence that Philadelphia has so much to offer visitors — whether its the Budweiser Made in America festival, the Philadelphia Art Museum and it’s blockbuster ‘Visions of Arcadia’ exhibit, the new Barnes Foundation, or our many other attractions,” said Johnson. “We expect them to also take advantage of our exploding restaurant scene and have a truly special experience here — and then come back to Philadelphia for more.”

ADA Accommodations

The Budweiser Made in America Festival is fully ADA compliant and offers accommodations for persons with disabilities including parking, seating, and restrooms. Vehicles with appropriate placards and/or license plates should enter the Festival site at Pennsylvania & Fairmount Avenues and travel east (as traffic permits) towards the Festival’s North Entrance at 23rd Street for drop-off. There are no ADA-designated parking zones other than those already in public parking lots and marked on street parking; the North Entrance is a drop-off zone only. Once inside the venue, each performance area has a corresponding ADA-compliant seating platform. (Please see the attached Festival Map for information on ADA compliant accommodations or visit www.madeinamericafest.com.)

Transportation

SEPTA announced that it will provide bus service to-and-from a remote parking site at The Mann Center for the Performing Arts. Beginning at 10 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, SEPTA will stage buses on Kelly Drive between Fairmount Avenue and 25th Street for return-trip shuttle service to The Mann. Those taking advantage of the remote parking site need to be on the shuttles by 11:45 p.m. Regular SEPTA fares will apply for these trips.

SEPTA will add service on the Broad Street and Market-Frankford Lines throughout the two-day festival, with trains running every five-to-ten minutes before, during and after the performances. Service will also be added on the Norristown High Speed Line, which provides a connection with the Market-Frankford Line at the 69th Street Transportation Center, and on city trolley routes.

SEPTA and NJ Transit will operate under normal weekend schedules. Festival ticket-holders, Parkway cultural institution patrons and others with business or recreational plans are urged to use public transportation to get in and out of Center City during the festival weekend due to the number of road closures. For routes and schedules, visit www.septa.org and www.njtransit.org.

Live Streaming

Today, Budweiser in partnership with YouTube and Pandora announced its plan to deliver live webcasts and music streams of the Budweiser Made in America Festival. The live streams on You Tube and Pandora can be accessed via www.youtube.com/BudMadeInAmerica or www.pandora.com/BudMadeInAmerica, on Saturday, Sept. 1 and Sunday, Sept. 2, from 2 to 11 p.m. ET. Fans also can watch the live event from Philadelphia on YouTube’s mobile website. This marks the first time Pandora has live streamed a music festival.

Mayor Nutter emphasized that the live streams will further highlight the City of Philadelphia to a global audience. “The City of Philadelphia is investing in itself by welcoming the Budweiser Made in America Festival. Philadelphia will be featured as a fun, vibrant city with a thriving arts and music scene to audiences watching around the world.”

Venue Details

The Budweiser Made in America venue features three entrances/exits for ticket-holders to utilize during the two-day festival. The main entrance is located on 22nd Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Additional entrances – (marked ‘Exit Only’ on the attached Festival Map) on either side of the venue at 23rd Street and Pennsylvania Avenue and 24th Street and Martin Luther King Drive at Eakins Oval – will be opened to facilitate easier access to the venue as needed. The Festival is a rain or shine event; re-entry to the venue will NOT be permitted on either day. (Please see attached Festival Map for information on the interior of the venue or visit www.madeinamericafest.com.)

Festival organizers stressed what items will and will not be allowed inside the venue perimeter. Ticket-holders will be subject to searches and pat-downs before being permitted inside the venue to ensure the enjoyment and safety of everyone at the Festival.

– Items that would obstruct others’ view of the stages (kites, flag poles, large signs, etc.)

Shawn “Jay Z” Carter will curate and headline the blockbuster roster of talent, which includes nearly 30 artists who will perform on three stages on the Parkway in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park on Saturday, September 1, and Sunday, September 2. Performances are scheduled to begin at 2:00 P.M. and conclude at 11:00 P.M. on both days, rain or shine. The Festival will be locally produced by Live Nation on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and will benefit local United Way organizations.

Access to the venue is limited to Festival ticket-holders only. Festival goers are urged to purchase tickets in advance through Ticketmaster.com and Livenation.com. Approximately 50,000 ticket-holders will enjoy the Festival each day. Attendees are encouraged to visit www.MadeInAmericaFest.com for information.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

MAYOR NUTTER PROVIDES UPDATE ON DETAILS FOR LIVE NATION ‘BUDWEISER MADE IN AMERICA’ MUSIC FESTIVAL

Philadelphia, August 28, 2012 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter and city officials provided a media update on details about the City of Philadelphia’s plans to welcome the “Budweiser Made in America” Festival, noting that construction is well under way and road closures have already begun. This event will be locally produced by Live Nation on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and will benefit local United Way organizations.

Shawn “Jay Z” Carter will curate and headline the blockbuster roster of talent, which includes nearly 30 artists embodying the diverse American musical spirit. They will perform on three stages on the Parkway in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park on Saturday, September 1, and Sunday, September 2. Performances are scheduled to begin at 2:00 P.M. and conclude at 11:00 P.M. on both days.

“Philadelphia, the birthplace of America and a major destination for music, arts and culture, is delighted to welcome visitors from all over the country to this truly national music festival that will enliven our City on Labor Day weekend,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “Jay Z and the Budweiser Made in America Festival are setting a new standard in live entertainment with an array of talent and a commitment to benefit local communities through financial support of United Way organizations.

Specifically, this concert will benefit United Way organizations in Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, Lancaster County, PA and New York City, enabling them to invest more dollars in their regions, strengthen local communities and positively impact the education, health and well being of the most vulnerable and needy citizens in their service areas.

Budweiser Made in America is the first ticket-for-purchase event held on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Construction of the concert venue will begin on August 23. Construction will cause minimal interruption to motorists up until August 30, at which time street closures and parking restrictions around the Parkway area will begin and run through September 3.

Access to the venue is limited to Festival ticket-holders only. Mayor Nutter stressed that tickets for both days of the Festival are still available. Festival goers are urged to purchase tickets in advance through Ticketmaster.com and Livenation.com. Approximately 50,000 ticket-holders will enjoy the Festival each day. Attendees are encouraged to visit www.MadeInAmericaFest.com for information on items that are (and are NOT) permitted in the venue, as well as information on concessions, accommodations, and directions.

“The City of Philadelphia has extensive institutional experience in managing large events on the Parkway and other sites in the city. Every year, we have detailed plans for public safety, street access, trash removal and we successfully accommodate 400,000 to 500,000 visitors on the 4th of July at Wawa Welcome America,” the Mayor said. “By contrast, the organizers of the Budweiser Made in America Festival are planning for about 50,000 ticket holders, roughly the size of a sold-out Phillies game.”

The Mayor emphasized that Center City and the Parkway in particular are large enough and city services are efficient and targeted enough to handle thousands of visitors at the same time. “Whether you are going to the Festival or you want to visit our museums and other institutions on the Parkway, this Labor Day weekend in Philadelphia will be a great, fun-filled time for everyone,” he said.

Road Closures

To accommodate the venue construction and two-day music festival, road closures along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and in key sections of the Fairmount neighborhood began on Tuesday, August 28, with increasing closures up until the start of the Festival on the morning of Saturday, September 1. These closures will continue through Monday, September 3 to accommodate breakdown of the venue.

Delays can be expected and motorists are advised to use alternate routes, and allow for extra driving time, in the areas near these festivities before and during Labor Day weekend. (Please see attached list and map for specific road closures by date and a foot print of event or visit www.phila.gov.)

Transportation

SEPTA announced today that it will also provide bus service to-and-from remote event parking at The Mann Center for the Performing Arts. Regular SEPTA fares will apply for these trips. Further details on the hours of operation for this bus service will be available closer to the event.

SEPTA will add service on the Broad Street and Market-Frankford Lines throughout the two-day festival, with trains running every five-to-ten minutes before, during and after the performances. Service will also be added on the Norristown High Speed Line, which provides a connection with the Market-Frankford Line at the 69th Street Transportation Center, and on city trolley routes. Details on adjustments to bus service will be announced in the coming days.

SEPTA and NJTransit will operate under normal weekend schedules. Festival ticket-holders, Parkway cultural institution patrons and others with business or recreational plans are urged to use public transportation to get in and out of Center City during the festival weekend due to the number of road closures. For routes and schedules, visit www.septa.org and www.njtransit.org.

Cultural Institutions

Most of the institutions along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway will maintain normal hours of operation during the Budweiser Made in America Festival. The City of Philadelphia is working collaboratively with Parkway cultural institutions to accommodate museum business schedules and reduce the impact of mass transit and vehicular traffic in the Parkway area. However, city officials are urging museum-goers to proceed with caution and plan accordingly during Budweiser Made in America, especially in the Parkway cultural corridor.

Please refer to the institutions’ websites for information on exhibit hours, ticketing and parking accommodations.

Public Safety

The City of Philadelphia will provide a comprehensive police presence for the duration of Budweiser Made in America to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all participants. Three Philadelphia Police beacons will be positioned outside the festival, showing where Philadelphia Police Officers are deployed to assist festival goers. These beacons will be on the northeast corner of 17th Street and the Parkway, the southeast corner of 18th and the Parkway, and the western entrance to Logan Circle between 19th and 20th Streets. (Please see attached map for locations of beacons as well as the joint Police/EMS/Fire Mini-Station or visit www.phila.gov.)

Weather

Budweiser Made in America is a rain or shine event. In the event of severe weather, listen for announcements and sign up at www.readynotifypa.org for text and email alerts or text PHILA to 411911 from your mobile device. Have a plan if you’re asked to leave the Parkway and take shelter.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

CITY OF PHILADELPHIA ANNOUNCES STREET CLOSURES

TO ACCOMMODATE BUDWEISER MADE IN AMERICA

VENUE CONSTRUCTION

Philadelphia, August 23, 2012 – City officials announced a series of street closures along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway scheduled for Saturday, August 25, 2012, to accommodate the construction of pieces of the Budweiser Made in America venue. Budweiser Made in America will be locally produced by Live Nation on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and will benefit local United Way organizations.

The Benjamin Franklin Parkway is scheduled for temporary closures Saturday morning, beginning at 8:00 AM with closure of the center lanes from 20th Street to the Binswanger Triangle. In addition, the outer Parkway lanes (East and West bound) will be closed from 2:00 PM through 5:00 PM, thereby shutting down the entire Parkway to vehicular traffic between 2:00 – 5:00 PM.

The Parkway will re-open to traffic at 5:00 PM on Saturday, August 25. At that time, a “gateway” structure will be in place above the roadway and present a head clearance of about 14 feet. This structure will be in place from 5:00 PM on August 25 through Monday, September 3, 2012.

Budweiser Made in America is the first ticket-for-purchase event held on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Construction of the concert venue began on August 23. Construction will cause minimal interruption to motorists up until August 30, when street closures and parking restrictions around the Parkway area will begin and run through September 3.

Shawn “Jay Z” Carter will curate and headline the blockbuster roster of talent, which includes nearly 30 artists embodying the diverse American musical spirit. They will perform on three stages on the Parkway in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park on Saturday, September 1, and Sunday, September 2. Performances are scheduled to begin at 2:00 P.M. and conclude at 11:00 P.M. on both days.

Access to the venue is limited to Festival ticket-holders only. Festival goers are urged to purchase tickets in advance through Ticketmaster.com and Livenation.com.

The City will provide more details on the Festival in the coming days.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

PARKWAY CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS OPEN FOR BUSINESS DURING ‘BUDWEISER MADE IN AMERICA’ MUSIC FESTIVAL

Philadelphia, August 22, 2012 – While preparations are under way for Budweiser Made in America, businesses and cultural institutions along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway are open for business on Labor Day weekend, providing an eclectic cultural experience of music and art, according to City officials.

“This Labor Day weekend, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway will offer the public all of the wonderful attractions and exhibitions displayed at our treasured cultural institutions, as well as the Budweiser Made in America Festival on Saturday, September 1st and Sunday, September 2nd,” said City Representative Melanie Johnson. “This locally produced concert event featuring headliners Jay Z and Pearl Jam, among other nationally known performers, will underscore our city’s unique ability to assist with presenting a diverse, grand scale entertainment experience for residents and visitors alike.”

Shawn “Jay Z” Carter will curate and headline the blockbuster roster of talent, which includes nearly 30 artists embodying the diverse American musical spirit. They will perform on three stages on the Parkway in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park on Saturday, September 1, and Sunday, September 2. Performances are scheduled to begin at 2:00 P.M. and conclude at 11:00 P.M. on both days.

The Festival will highlight Philadelphia as a major destination for music, arts and culture as well as benefit the United Way organizations in Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, Lancaster, PA and New York City, enabling them to invest more dollars to serve the neediest citizens in their regions. Philadelphia, and specifically the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, is home to world-renown cultural institutions including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Franklin Institute, the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University and the Parkway’s newest addition, the Barnes Foundation.

The City of Philadelphia is working collaboratively with Parkway cultural institutions to accommodate museum business schedules and reduce the impact of mass transit and vehicular traffic in the Parkway area. However, city officials are urging museum-goers to proceed with caution and plan accordingly during Budweiser Made in America, especially in the Parkway cultural corridor.

“The City has reached out to keep us informed about street closures and any other event setup issues that might impact the Parkway,” said Judi Rogers, Executive Director of the Parkway Council Foundation. “They are also making a strong effort to communicate that the Parkway Museums District institutions are open for business throughout Labor Day weekend. Hopefully, both visitors and area residents will get that message, and explore the Parkway over the holiday weekend to enjoy all that it has to offer.”

Parkway cultural institution patrons and others with business or recreational plans are encouraged to use public transportation to get in and out of Center City during the Festival weekend. SEPTA and NJTransit will operate under normal weekend schedules. For updates and information about public transit to museums along the Parkway, including various public transit options, please visit their websites at http://www.septa.org/welcome/cultural.html and www.njtransit.org

Monday, August 20, 2012

MAYOR NUTTER RELEASES DETAILS FOR THE LIVE NATION

‘BUDWEISER MADE IN AMERICA’ MUSIC FESTIVAL

Philadelphia, August 20, 2012 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter released details about the City of Philadelphia’s plans to welcome the “Budweiser Made in America” Festival, an exciting, two-day music festival Labor Day weekend. This event will be locally produced by Live Nation on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and will benefit local United Way organizations.

Shawn “Jay Z” Carter will curate and headline the blockbuster roster of talent, which includes nearly 30 artists embodying the diverse American musical spirit. They will perform on three stages on the Parkway in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park on Saturday, September 1, and Sunday, September 2. Performances are scheduled to begin at 2:00 P.M. and conclude at 11:00 P.M. on both days.

“Philadelphia, the birthplace of America and a major destination for music, arts and culture, is delighted to welcome visitors from all over the country to this truly national music festival that will enliven our City on Labor Day weekend,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “Jay Z and the Budweiser Made in America Festival are setting a new standard in live entertainment with an array of talent and a commitment to benefit local communities through financial support of United Way organizations.”

Specifically, this concert will benefit United Way organizations in Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, Lancaster County, PA and New York City, enabling them to invest more dollars in their regions, strengthen local communities and positively impact the education, health and well being of the most vulnerable and needy citizens in their service areas.

Budweiser Made in America is the first ticket-for-purchase event held on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Construction of the concert venue will begin on August 23. Construction will cause minimal interruption to motorists up until August 30, at which time street closures and parking restrictions around the Parkway area will begin and run through September 3.

Access to the venue is limited to Festival ticket-holders only. Mayor Nutter stressed that tickets for both days of the Festival are still available. Festival goers are urged to purchase tickets in advance through Ticketmaster.com and Livenation.com. Approximately 50,000 ticket-holders will enjoy the Festival each day. Attendees are encouraged to visit www.MadeInAmericaFest.com for information on items that are (and are NOT) permitted in the venue, as well as information on concessions, accommodations, and directions.

“The City of Philadelphia has extensive institutional experience in managing large events on the Parkway and other sites in the city. Every year, we have detailed plans for public safety, street access, trash removal and we successfully accommodate 400,000 to 500,000 visitors on the 4th of July at Wawa Welcome America,” the Mayor said. “By contrast, the organizers of the Budweiser Made in America Festival are planning for about 50,000 ticket holders, roughly the size of a sold-out Phillies game.”

The Mayor emphasized that Center City and the Parkway in particular are large enough and city services are efficient and targeted enough to handle thousands of visitors at the same time. “Whether you are going to the Festival or you want to visit our museums and other institutions on the Parkway, this Labor Day weekend in Philadelphia will be a great, fun-filled time for everyone,” he said.

Road Closures

To accommodate the venue construction and two-day music festival, road closures along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and in key sections of the Fairmount neighborhood will begin on Thursday, August 30, with increasing closures up until the start of the Festival on the morning of Saturday, September 1. These closures will continue through Monday, September 3 to accommodate breakdown of the venue.

Delays can be expected and motorists are advised to use alternate routes, and allow for extra driving time, in the areas near these festivities before and during Labor Day weekend. (Please see attached list and map for specific road closures by date and a foot print of event or visit www.phila.gov.)

SEPTA and NJTransit will operate under normal weekend schedules. Festival ticket-holders, Parkway cultural institution patrons and others with business or recreational plans are urged to use public transportation to get in and out of Center City during the festival weekend due to the number of road closures. For routes and schedules, visit www.septa.org and www.njtransit.org.

Cultural Institutions

Most of the institutions along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway will maintain normal hours of operation during the Budweiser Made in America Festival. Please refer to the institutions’ websites for information on exhibit hours, ticketing and parking accommodations.

Public Safety

The City of Philadelphia will provide a comprehensive police presence for the duration of Budweiser Made in America to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all participants. Three Philadelphia Police beacons will be positioned outside the festival, showing where Philadelphia Police Officers are deployed to assist festival goers. These beacons will be on the northeast corner of 17th Street and the Parkway, the southeast corner of 18th and the Parkway, and the western entrance to Logan Circle between 19th and 20th Streets. (Please see attached map for locations of beacons as well as the joint Police/EMS/Fire Mini-Station or visit www.phila.gov.)

Weather

Budweiser Made in America is a rain or shine event. In the event of severe weather, listen for announcements and sign up at www.readynotifypa.org for text and email alerts or text PHILA to 411911 from your mobile device. Have a plan if you’re asked to leave the Parkway and take shelter.

The City will provide more details on the Festival in the coming days.